Roethlisberger, Brackett, Prater selected as AFC's top players
Sports Network | October 08, 2008
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett and Denver kicker Matt Prater have been selected as the AFC's top players for Week 5 of the NFL season.
Roethlisberger was the top offensive player for the week as he went 26-for-41 with a season-high 309 yards, three touchdowns and one interception to guide the Steelers to a 26-21 victory on the road against Jacksonville on Sunday night. Trailing by one point late in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger guided the team on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that he capped with an eight-yard strike to Hines Ward for the go-ahead score to give the Steelers a 4-1 mark for first place in the AFC North heading into the bye week. In his fifth season in the NFL, it is his fourth weekly award.
Brackett nabbed defensive honors as he posted five tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown in the Colts' 31-27 comeback win over Houston. With 3:36 left in the game and trailing by 10 points, Brackett grabbed a fumble and rumbled into the end zone from 68 yards out to make it a 27-24 game. On the next offensive possession for Indianapolis, Peyton Manning hit Reggie Wayne for a five-yard score to put the team in front for good. Playing his sixth season in the NFL, it is Brackett's second weekly award.
Prater earned special teams honors as he went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and added an extra point in Denver's 16-13 win over Tampa Bay. He hit a 55- yard field goal in the second quarter, which was the longest in the NFL for the week and fifth-longest in Denver history. He is 12-for-13 on field goal attempts this season and has made all four 50-plus yard attempts. His 51 points lead the NFL. It is his first weekly award.
